Touring Castles on the Rhine River
Whatsoever cruise along the Rhine river would be both absorbing and unforgettable. Along this historic river one can see examples of both contemporary and ancient Germany.
The river is filled with industrial barges busily hauling supplies and product to and from the numerous German industrial sites located in the leading cities along the river.
These industrial carriers are closely followed in numbers by tour boats transporting tourists through the scenic valley.
The most beautiful and historic portion of the Rhine river valley lies between Frankfurt and Cologne. Many beautiful and historic cities are situated between these two cities including: Weisbaden, Rudesheim, Koblenz, and Koln.
This part of the Rhine is home to some some 30 castles dating from the middle ages. All are open to the public for a small fee and provide a living history lesson
to those who take the time to visit and explore them.
Most tourist are pleased to sail past the castles on a slow moving european river boat from which they can take photos and wonder at the beauty of the castles from afar.
Most tourists fail to realize that by spending just one day to their tour of this portion of the Rhine river they can expand their enjoyment and perceptive of the history of this area ten fold. By committing one day to castle touring one can select from 15 castles on either side of the river.
Eastern side of the river from Koblenz one can chose from any number of beautiful castles beginning with Fortress Ehrenbreitstein in Koblenz.
This a grand scale fortress never captured.
To the south in Lahnstein one finds castle Lahneck
As a note of history these old castles were built along the Rhine as protective fortresses against armies invading Germany through the Rhine valley. The forts (castles) were built on the highest point of land available for defensive purposes,
and were situated at the most remote point, but still within sight of the next castle downstream. In this way the castle defenders could stay in visual contact with the castle downstream and be constantly aware of its’ status.
To the south of castle Lahneck in Kamp-Bomhofen are two guardian castles. These are castle Sternenberg and castle Liebenstein.
To the south is castle Maus in Wellmich.
In St. Goarshausen is Katz castle and in Kaub is castle Gutenfels. Katz castle built 1371 sits on a high bluff and provides one of the most amazing views of the Rhine of all the castles.
Most of these castles are in some state of disrepair, but considering they were built during the middle ages and with middle age engineering they are, today extraordinary still standing.
It is interesting while walking through these old castles to get a sense of indicators of the people who resided them. For example, in one castle stone and mortar crypts can be seen. These were anywhere from five to five and a half feet in length, these were for fully grown adults, but that we needed to understand that fully grown adults of the middle ages were quite small compared with humans of today.
South of St, Goardhausen is Lorch where the ruins of castle Ehrenfels can be found. Even here the location and size of the castle tell a story.
In Rudesheim one finds castle Bromserburg. In ancient days Bromserburg served as a Customs authority collecting fees along the Rhine. Today a portion of the castle functions as an interesting wine museum.
If one is truly interested in understanding Germany and its’ history a european river cruise of the Rhine river castle country is a must.
click on the map to enlarge.
